…Says Rivers not home for criminals
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubari, met with heads of security formations in the state, charging them to smoke out the killers’ of late SP Bako Angbashim, the Divisional Police Officer of Ahoada, who was brutality murdered by some criminal gangs on Friday.
The Governor specifically urged the security agencies to get the prime suspect, Gift Okpara Okpolowu, aka 2 Baba at all costs as a clear statement that the state is not a safe haven for criminals.
Fubara, stated this while briefing the Government House press corps shortly after an Emergency Security Council Meeting in the state seat of Power in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
This was contained in a statement signed by Boniface Onyedi, media aide to the governor and sent to correspondents in the state.
According to the statement, Governor Fubara, who described the incident as unfortunate and barbaric, sympathized with the Nigerian Police and the family of the slain senior police officer and vowed to make Rivers State unsafe for criminal activities and gangs.
While expressing confidence in the ability of the security agencies to apprehend the culprits, he said a bounty has been placed on them, while pointing out that Rivers State has never been a ‘safe haven for criminals”
The Governor stated, “It is really unfortunate that in our state where we are doing everything to reduce the crime rate, a group of miscreants portray the state as being unsafe, we honestly feel very sad over this incident.
“As a government, we will not rest until whoever is responsible for this act is brought to book.
“We have gone further to show our commitment to this issue by placing a bounty on the criminals and also suspending the traditional ruler of that locality.
“We will do everything in our part to ensure we get to the end of this matter, we must get him at all costs.
“Rivers State has never and will not be a home of criminality. I believe that the calibre of men that are heading the security unit of the state will do everything within their powers to settle these matters.”
Present at the emergency security meeting were Brig. Gen. E. U. Effiong, 6 Division Garrison Commander, Nigerian Army; Group Captain A. H. Idris, Commander 115, Special Operation Group; Commodore D.O.C. Igbo, Commander, Nigeria Navy Ship.
Others include Polycap Emeka Nwonyi, Rivers State Commissioner of Police; the Director, Department of State Services, Rivers State Command and Basil Igwebueze, Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Rivers State Command.
